At CERC, every new sermon series is more than a change in artwork or theme. Instead, it’s another milestone in how God’s Word continues to form us as His people. Before the first sermon of The Christian According To… Colossians began, Pastor Jerome Leng climbed a ladder to hang the framed artwork of the previous series, 2 Timothy, a quiet moment marking one chapter’s end and another’s beginning.
Pastor Jerome Leng hangs up the framed artwork of 2 Timothy, marking another chapter of God’s work in His church.
For two months, the 2 Timothy series had taught the church what it means to endure and remain faithful in ministry. Now, its frame joined the wall of past series, a visual reminder that every season of preaching builds on the last, shaping us through the same enduring Word that never fails.
At the same time, those gathered received the new Colossians series bookmark, a small, practical way to invite friends and a daily reminder of the series tagline: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue being full of the Christ, the hope of glory.” It’s a bookmark that marks more than pages; it marks our growth as a church learning to be filled with Him.
The Colossians series bookmark, a simple tool to invite others and remember to be full of the Christ.
Faith, Hope, and Love: The True Marks of the Christian Life
Preaching from Colossians 1:1–8, Pastor Robin Gan began the new series with characteristic clarity and conviction.
“In this humble shoplot,” he said, “with no particular glory of sex appeal, what you’re hearing here, more than any corporate or iPhone reveal, is this amazing reality of Christ and the life He has given us: faith, hope, and love.”
That triad framed the entire sermon. Faith in Christ. Love for the saints. Hope laid up in heaven. These are the real marks of Christian life, Robin explained, not success, emotion, or sentimentality. “From the moment you become Christian,” he said, “it’s love for all the saints.”
Then came the question that cut through the air: How does someone go from being dead to God to being alive and at peace with Him?
Robin reminded the congregation that no one is “born Christian” by background or habit but only by the creative work of God Himself. “Some of you may serve in church or even be baptised,” he said, “and yet may not be born of God.” The point was plain but piercing: Christianity begins with divine grace, not human effort.
Pastor Robin Gan preaching from Colossians 1:1–8, reminding the church that to be Christian is to be Christ-IN-an.
He went on to describe what it means to be in Christ or as he put it, to be a Christ-IN-an. Like citizens of another kingdom, Christians live ordinary lives with extraordinary purpose: raising families, working, and loving in ways that reflect Christ Himself.
The sermon ended in prayer, not the usual closing prayer, but something different. Robin invited everyone to turn to the person beside them.
“We don’t often do this,” he said. “I don’t want church to become an individualistic experience. But at the start of this series, speak to one another in pairs.
If you’re not a Christian, let the Christian next to you speak to you about repentance and coming into this new life. If you’re two Christians, pray for each other to commit to the Christianity the Bible will show you, which you should already know.”
He reminded us that true faith, hope, and love can only come from the Triune God — the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (Col 1:3, 8). That’s why to have it at all, we pray (Col 1:9–14).
And as quiet voices filled the hall, it was clear, the Word was doing what it always does: bearing fruit and growing among those who hear it.
